Birdhouse assembly kit and birdhouse constructed therefrom



Aug. 3, 1965 w. B. CRANE, JR 3,198,172

BIRDHOUSE ASSEMBLY KIT AND BIRD HOUSE CONSTRUCTED THEREFROM Filed Feb.17, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

W/AZ/AM .8. C/PA/Vf 77?.

ATTORA/[YS Aug. 3, 1965 w. B. CRANE, JR 3,193,172

BIRDHOUSE ASSEMBLY KIT AND BIRDHOUSE CONSTRUCTED THEREFROM Filed Feb.17, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 l I 36 36 l l '1" l l 29J 3 4 1 x34ATTOR/VfYS g- 3, 1965 w. B. CRANE, JR 3,198,172

BIRDHOUSE ASSEMBLY KIT AND BIRDHOUSE CONSTRUCTED THEREFROM Filed Feb.17, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

W/ZZ/AM 5. CRANE JR.

BY 6M PM ATTORNEYS volving a minimum of expense. house structure of theinvention incorporates, as a major United States Patent 3,198,172BIRDHQUSE ASSEMBLY KET AND BIRDHQUSE CBNSTRUCTED THEREFROM William B.Crane, .iiu, New York, N.Y., assignor to Ex-Cell-O (Iorporation,Detroit, Mich. Filed Feb. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 345,375 11 Claims. (Cl.119-23) building conventional birdhouses or the expense involved inpurchasing them seems to be such that the actual in stallation ofbirdhouses appears to be considerably less than the indicated interestin providing them.

Accordingly, a basic objective of the present invention resides in theprovision of a novel and highly simplified birdhouse construction, whichenables a serviceable, semipermanent birdhouse to be constructed andinstalled in a few minutes time, utilizing a minimum of parts and in- Tothis end, the birdcomponent, a paperboard milk carton of a conventionalstyle and of a type which is readily commercially available on anationwide basis. Conventional paperboard milk cartons, particularlythose utilizing polyethylene coated paperboard, form durable, rigid,protective housings, which can easily withstand exposure to the elementsfor, say, a year, to provide a desirable and effective accommodation fora full season, and the construction of the new birdhouse assembly issuch that the main enclosure, formed by the milk carton, may be quicklyand tising and other printed matter thereon and to impart a desirablerustic appearance.

A further and more specific aspect of the invention resides in theprovision of a combination roof and mounting bracket of novelconstruction for use in converting a conventional milk carton to adesirable form of birdhouse. The combination roof and mounting bracketis formed of sheet material bent to form a protective gabled roofand adeep roof ridge adapted for the reception and engagement of theridgelike closure of a conventional paperboard milk carton. Thearrangement is such that the milk carton, having been opened and emptiedof its contents, is held by the combined roof and mounting bracket in areclosed condition and in a manner completely protecting the top of thecarton from rain and snow.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference 'should be madeto the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a birdhouse assembly incorporating thefeatures of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the manner ofassembly of the birdhouse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the bottom wall ofthe birdhouse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank of flat, sheetlike material used in theformation of a novel combined roof 2131K; mounting bracket incorporatedin the assembly of FIG. 5 is a plan view of a sheet of covering materialincorporated in the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the top construction of aconventional paperboard milk carton of the type utilized in thebirdhouse assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an alternatebirdhouse assembly incorporating features of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank of fiat, sheetlike material used in theformation of a novel combined roof and mounting bracket incorporated inthe alternate assembly shown in FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 designatesgenerally a paperboardmilk carton of a conventional design currentlyavailable on a nationally distributed basis. The milk carton 10, whichis advantageously constructed of polyethylene coated paperboardmaterials (but may be constructed of wax-coated board) typically hasfour vertical side Walls (not specifically identified) of substantiallyequal size and a bottom wall 11 forming a container body ofsubstantially square cross-section. At the top of the carton, the upperside wall panels 12, 13 extend upward and inward, meeting along a centerridge and forming a rooflike structure. Upper marginal panels 14, 15extend upward from the junction of the roof panels 12, 13 for a shortdistance to form a ridge, sufficient to enable effective closure sealsto be made in accordance with known milk carton construction principles.

As indicated in FIG. 6, the upper front wall panel 16 (which may begenerally similar to the upper back wall panel, not shown) is creasedalong diagonal score lines 17, 18 and joins the upper side wall panels12, 13 along corner score lines 19, 2t). Sealing margins 21, 22 areformed along the upper edge extremities of the panel 16 on margins 55,56 respectively. The margins 55, 56 advantageously being of less widththan the marginal panels 14 and 15 of the panels 12, 13. Theconstruction of the top structure is considered to be obvious from thedrawing. The panel 16 folds about score lines 17, 18 to form atriangular panel 23 which is positioned underneath the panels 12, 13.The formed carton 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2 and this specific cartonwould have been opened and reclosed.

To open the conventional milk carton of the type illustrated herein,folded-under triangular panels 24, 25 of the upperwall panel 16 are tornopen, to rupture the seals along the front half of the sealing marginsformed by panels 14, 15. The opened milk carton, with a formed pouringspout for easy removal of its contents, is reflected by the illustrationof FIG. 6, it being understood, however, that the specific cartonillustrated in FIG. 6 has certain openings formed therein to adapt itfor subsequent utilization as a birdhouse enclosure.

In accordance with the invention, the paperboard milk carton 10 isparticularly suitable for conversion and subsequent use as a birdhousein the conventional half-gallon and gallon sizes, although other sizesmight also be used under appropriate circumstances. The half-gallon andgallon sizes are particularly desirable by virtue of the favorablerelationship in these carton sizes of vertical to horizontal dimensions.The proportions of the illustrated carton 10 are substantially those ofa conventional half-gallon milk carton.

To prepare a half-gallon milk carton for use as a pleted assembly,substantial marginal portions of the birdhouse, an opening 26 ofpredetermined size is formed M the house to various birds and theutility of the enclo-' The necessary relationsure as an effectivebirdhouse. ships are, of course, well known, and it is contemplatedthat, in a conversion kit incorporating the principles of the invention,appropriate instructions will be included for forming the front wallopening 26 selected classes of birds. I I

Inaddition to the front wall opening'26, it is important to providesuitable drainage openings '27 in the bottom wall of thehousing, thisbeing particularly true in the present instance in view of the inherentliquid-tight characteristics-of the body of the milk carton; It is alsoimportant to form a ventilation opening in the top of the housing, and,in the structure of the presentinvention, a ventilation opening 28 isformed to particular advantage by cutting out a triangular top sectionof the triangular panel 23 formed in the upper front wall panel 16. Thisappropriately for triangular section advantageously is cut out, using aknife 7 or razor blade for example, whenthe carton is in its opencondition as illustrated in FIG. 6. Subsequently,

when the carton is reclosed as indicated in FIG. 2, the opening 28isboth concealedand protected under the V gable formed at the ends of theroof-forming panels 12, 13. I

In accordance with the invention, a novel and simplistructure on a tree,wall, etc. Advantageou sly, theroof and mounting bracket element isformed of flat, sheetroof-forming panels extend beyond the side walls ofthe container. This not only affords greater protection against leakage,but imparts a more desirable appearance to the assembly. The verticaldimensions of the socket-forming panels 33, 34 are, of course, such asto receive'the panels 14, 15 of the container while permitting theroof-forming panels 29, 30 to be supported directly by the container toppanels 12, 13.

When the roof and mounting bracket is formed in the manner shown in FIG.2, it can be applied over the top structure of theprepared carton withthe roof-forming panels 29, 30 resting upon the corresponding panels 12,130i the carton, the tabs 37, 38 hearing against the back wall of thecarton, and the socket-forming panels 33, 34 closely receiving theuppermost marginal panels 14, 15 of the carton and maintaining thesepanels in a reclosed condition.

After application of the roof and mounting bracket to the carton,through-openings may be formed in the carton panels 14, 15 in alignmentwith the openings/36 in the socket-forming panels. Suitable fasteningelements 44 maythen be inserted through the aligned openings to lock thecarton and roof structure in assembled relation. If desirable andexpedient, of course, suitable tabs or other elements may be formedintegrally on the roofforming sheet, such that it may besemi-permanently secured to the container without the use of theseparate fastening elements 44. V

Advantageously, the'roof and mounting bracket is secured to asuitablepermanent structure such as a tree,

house, etc., prior to final, semi-permanent assembly of the containerand the roof structure. Thereafter, the container can bereadilyinstalled in the bracket; in addition,.replacement containersmaybe quickly installed in the same bracket for subsequent seasons.

like materiaLsuitable for shipping and handling in flat i condition andcapable of being re-formed by the user into a predeterminedrooflikestructure.

A flat blank suitable for forming a desired 'roof and. mounting bracketis shown in FIG. 4 and comprises first pairs of openings 36 to receivefastening devices to be de- Since conventional paperboard milk cartonsoften are brightly. printed with advertising and other material,

, latter is partly exposed. Advantageously, the covering scribed.Mounting tabs 37, 38 are connected along fold lines 39, 40 to therespective roof-forming panels 29, 30, and suitable apertures 41' areprovided in the tabs for receiving tacks or other fastening devices.

Advantageously, the roof-forming blank is made of a,

readily bendable, weather-resistant material, such as sheet aluminum.The various fold lines advantageously are prescored and, if desired, thetabs and panels maybe reinforced by suitable ribbing, so thataninexperienced person can readily bend the hat blank into thedesiredshape without special tools or equipment.

As indicated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the blank of FIG. 4 is formed into acombined roof and mounting bracket inac- -cordance with the inventionbyfolding the blank over upon itself along the fold line- 35 and foldingthe roofforming panels 29, 30 outward along the fold lines 31,

ward with respect to the roof-forming panels-29, 30,:as shown in FIG/2for example, the edges 42, 43 will be in abutting relation when theproperiroof angle is-es-f tablished; W s s As reflected in FIG. 1, the,principal dimensions of the roof-forming panels 29, '30. are such that,in thecoms .material is in the form of a sheet of conventional contactadhesive paper which is substantially opaque when applied to the'cartonnad has an exterior pattern which simulates wood or which otherwiseprovides a suitable exterior appearance fora birdhouse. In FIG. 5 thereis shown a blank 45 for the contact adhesive paper, which typicallyconsists of an outer or covering sheet-46 and a removable protectivebacking sheet 47. Advantageously, the protective sheet 47' has imprintedthereon complete directions for the preparation and installation of abirdhouse assembly according to the invention, including appropriatescore lines as well'a's indicated cut-out lines. And, if desired, thesheet may be pre-cut to a desired ,shape and size and with appropriateopenings.

In the covering sheet illustrated FIG. 5, definite lines are providedseparating the sheet into side wall covering panels 48, 49 and a frontwall oovering panel 50. Along the bottom edge there are formed threeflaps 51-53 which Subsequently, when the, tabs are a .folded along thelines 39, 40 at right angles and down- 7 are secured along'margins ofthe bottom'wall of the carton and may, if desired, cove'r'the entirebottom wall with the exception of thedrainage openings'27. The upper'edgesof the side wall covering panels 48, 49 are arranged to terminate,at the top edges of the carton side walls, while the front Wall panel50 has a flap 54 along it upper edge arranged to cover the intact lowerportion ofthe triangular panel 23. I

Adjvantageously, the necessary cuts and folds can be -made in thecovering sheet 45 prior to removal of the backwall panels 61 and 62 thatjoin to an upper marginal panel 63. The upper angular side wall panels61 and 62 are connected to the upper marginal panel along lines 64 and65, respectively. There is a front wall cover panel 50 with an opening26. Openings 66 are placed in panel 63 to receive securing means for thetop assembly 70.

The top assembly 70 has first and second roof-forming panels 71 and 72.Panels 71 and 72 are connected to marginal forming panel 73 by fold line74 and 75, respectively. Mounting tabs 76 and 77 are connected toroof-forming panels 71 and 72, respectively by fold lines 78 and 79.

The top assembly '70 is constructed similar to the preferred embodimentshown in FIGURE 2. The container is opened by turning one end of theupper angular side wall panels 61 and 62 away from the marginal panel63. This will cause towing along a portion of lines 64 and 65eliminating complete solid contact between panel 63 and panels 61-62.The tabs 67, on the assembly 70, can be folded around so as to retainthe panels 61 and 62 against the bottom of the roof-forming panels 71and 72. Fastening elements 68 may be used similar to elements 44;however, these can be provided with eye heads so that a unit could behung from a tree, a post, a house, etc.

Another method of mounting is to provide tabs 57 i which would act onthe back end or the mounting tab end to be constructed utilizing aconventional paperboard milk carton in conjunction with a combined roofand mounting bracket, and a covering sheet. Both the roof-formingelement and the covering sheet may be prepared on an extremelyeconomical basis and shipped in fiat form, by mailing or otherwise, suchthat the necessary equipment for assembling a desirable form ofbirdhouse can be readily and inexpensively supplied to any personpurchasing a conventional paperboard milk carton.

Perhaps the key element in the birdhouse assembly is the simplified topstructure, arranged to form a combined roof and mounting bracket, whichcan be quickly erected by bending or folding a soft sheet of materialsuch as sheet aluminum and which, when applied to a conventional milkcarton, serves to complete the birdhouse structurally, imparts pleasingproportions and a desirable, overall appearance, and, at the same time,provides a means for ecuring the birdhouse on a tree or wall.

In one particularly practical and advantageous form of the invention,the necessary materials and directions are provided in the form of aconstruction kit comprising the roof-forming element and the coveringsheet in fiat form, with appropriate directions for assembly andinstallation printed on the removable back of the covering sheet.

Since the form of the invention illustrated herein is intended to berepresentative only, reference should be made to the following appendedclaims in determining the full scope of the invention.

I claim: 1. A birdhouse assembly comprising (a) an opened and reclosedpaperboard milk container of the type having a pair of inclined toppanels and a pair of ridge-forming panels extending upward from the toppanels, and

(b) a top structure forming a combined roof and mounting bracket securedto the top of said container,

(c) said top structure comprising a section of sheetlike material foldedin the center to provide a pair of opposed, facing socket-forming panelfor the reception of the ridge-forming panels of said container andfolded along the lower edges of said socket-forming panels to providedownwardly and outwardly extending roof-forming panels,

(d) said roof-forming panels projecting beyond the front and side edgesof the container,

(e) said socket-forming panels being operative to maintain theridge-forming panels of the container in a reclosed condition.

2. The birdhouse assembly of claim 1, in which (a) said top structureincludes tabs extending vertical- 1y downward from the back edges ofsaid roof-forming panels and abutting against the back wall of thecontainer,

(b) said top structure being securable to a support by said tabs.

3. The birdhouse assembly in claim 1, which further includes (a) a coversheet secured to at least the front and side walls of said container,

(b) said cover sheet having a contact adhesive on its inner surface.

4. The birdhouse assembly of claim 1, in which (a) said container has afront wall top panel scored and bent to form an upwardly and rearwardlyextend ing triangular panel received below the front gable of theroof-forming panels, and

(b) the apex portion of said triangular panel is cut away to provide arecessed, protected ventilation opening.

5. The birdhouse assembly of claim 1, in which (a) certain walls of themilk container are cut to provide a drainage opening in the bottom wall,a bird access opening in the front wall, and a ventilating openingimmediately below the front gable formed by the roof-forming panels.

6. A top or roof structure adapted for assembly with a reclosedpaperboard milk container to form a semipermanent birdhouse, whichcomprises (a) a pair of roof-forming panels extending downward andoutward from a predetermined roof ridge,

(b) ridgelike socket-forming means extending upward from the upper edgesof said roof-forming panels and adapted for the reception of ridgelikeclosure panels of the reclosed milk container, and

(c) mounting tabs extending vertically downward from the back edges ofthe roof-forming panels and adapted for abutting engagement with theback wall of the container,

((1) said roof-forming panels being of a size and shape to extend beyondthe front and sides of the container.

b 7. The top structure of claim 6, further characterized (a) saidpanels, socket-forming means, and mounting tabs being formed as integralpanel sections of a single, initially flat blank of bendable sheetmetal,

(b) said initially fiat blank being divided into said panel sections bypreformed bending scores.

8. A kit for converting a reclosed paperboard milk container into asemi-permanent birdhouse, comprising (a) a flat blank of bendable sheetmaterial,

(b) said blank being divided by a plurality of parallel fold lines intoa pair of foldably connected socketforming panels at the center area ofsaid blank and a pair of roof-forming panels along the outer edges ofsaid socket-forming panels,

(c) said socket-forming panels being foldable into opposed, facingrelation and being of a width to accommodate the reception of thevertically disposed closure panels of a milk container, (d)said'roof-forming panels being of a width, and

length inexcess of. the corresponding Width'and length dimensions of thetop-formingpanels of a milk container, and

(e) means for securing a topstructure formed said blank to the top of areclosed milk container. 9. The kit of claim 8, in which (a) said meansfor securing comprises fastening elesurface and a removable backingsheet initially cov-v ering said contact adhesive,

(b)fsaid backing sheet having printed on the'exposed surfacesthereofguide information for the preparationandinstallaticn of a-birdhonse.

.7 1 References Cited by the Examiner j UNITED STATES PATENTS fCoWl'es uQ. 11923 Mallgraf '119 --23 Benson 119-23 'Burr et a1. 119--23 Early f22917 Parkes et a1 11923 X SAMUELv KOREN, Primary Examiner. 15 ALDRICHF.-MEDBERY, Examiner;

1. A BIRDHOUSE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING (A) AN OPENED AND RECLOSED PAPERBOARDMILK CONTAINER OF THE TYPE HAVING A PAIR OF INCLINED TOP PANELS AND APAIR OF RIDGE-FORMING PANELS EXTENDING UPWARD FROM THE TOP PANELS, AND(B) A TOP STRUCTURE FORMING A COMBINED ROOF AND MOUNTING BRACKET SECUREDTO THE TOP OF SAID CONTAINER, (C) SAID TOP STRUCTURE COMPRISING ASECTION OF SHEETLIKE MATERIAL FOLDED IN THE CENTER TO PROVIDE A PAIR OFOPPOSED, FACING SOCKET-FORMING PANELS FOR THE RECEPTION OF THERIDGE-FORMING PANELS OF SAID CONTAINER AND FOLDED ALONG THE LOWER EDGESOF SAID SOCKET-FORMING PANELS TO PROVIDE DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLYEXTENDING ROOF-FORMING PANELS,